CFANS welcomes new head of Entomology

Sujaya Rao '91 (Ph.D. Entomology) has accepted the position as head of Entomology. Professor Rao will bring to CFANS enthusiasm and passion for the position and is excited to chart the next course for the department.

Professor Rao, a CFANS alumna and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware and the University of California, worked as an Extension Advisor for UC's Cooperative Extension before she moved as Assistant Professor to OSU. At OSU, she blended basic and applied research, integrated research into educational programs, and provided leadership for Entomology, campus-wide Undergraduate Research, NSF-funded educational programs and the Entomological Society of America. Among her many awards are the Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching from the Entomological Society of America, and Student Mentoring Award from its Pacific Branch; Fulbright Scholar Award; and the Hodson Alumnus Award, Department of Entomology, U of M. Her research experiences include integrated pest management in field and horticultural crops, and native bee diversity and crop pollination. She also brings a depth of understanding and delivering education to extension and K-12 populations and received $4.5 million in extramural funding for her work. She has published extensively in periodicals including the Journal of Comparative Physiology, Apidologie, Annals of Applied Biology, Environmental Entomology, Journal of Extension, and the Journal of Insect Science . Professor Rao has made more than 250 presentations for international, national, and local organizations and has served as a reviewer and committee member for key professional organizations including the USDA, NSF, and the Entomological Society of America.